@travellingwiththeateam

Another early morning start.

We left Mallacoota at 8am on a 2hr drive through the Croajingolong National Park, to the entry point of the Gippsland Lakes where it meets the Bass Straits.

As Lakes Entrance centre had a slightly aged ’Blackpool’ feel to it, with motels and gift shops aplenty, we decided for the first time to head to a free camping site just outside the town in Lake Tyers.

We found the campsite to the rear of the Waterwheel Tavern Pub which faced out to the lake and nearby beach. This proved to be a great find, with free electricity, water & toilets in a quiet spot.

With the sun breaking through, we headed to the sand dunes where we were protected from the winds off the main beach.

After a few hours of sun bathing and a walk along the beach, we decided to check out the local pub and came across some street art on the back wall.

After dinner the sun returned and we went for another stroll along the beach before popping into the tavern to catch up with the tennis in Melbourne, where we have tickets on Thursday.

Early start day.

We left Eden around 8am and jumped into the camper for a 90min drive south into Victoria and our next coastal stop in Mallacoota, within the Croajingolong National Park.

The landscape feels vast and very much a wilderness, remaining untouched and uncultivated for thousands of years.

On arrival on the coast we headed for nourishment and a trip to Alfs coffee and pizza, a great combo as you look out across the inland lake.

Betka beach was our home for the next 4hrs and as with other days we had the place to ourselves.

After a few hours of R&R we returned to our trusted camper positioned door ajar waiting to pick a plump spot with the best views!

Walking along the front of the camp site we came across a squadron of pelicans, perched on a sandbank. Only in Australia.

After an enjoyable walk around the water front it was ice cream time, Michelle went for her fav, mint chocolate chip whereas Andy indulged in a spot of coconut.

In every town we stay we come across there is some reference to the Aboriginal forefathers. The artwork is spiritual and intertwined with the wildlife and their more simpler lives.

Our view from the camper looking back up the coast, not bad, and making you feel very much one with the country.

And finally Google maps locator showing Mallacoota at the most easterly spot in Victoria.

Early start day.

We left Eden around 8am and jumped into the camper for a 90min drive south into Victoria and our next coastal stop in Mallacoota, within the Croajingolong National Park.

The landscape feels so vast and very much a wilderness and hasn’t changed been cultivated so remains as is has for thousands of years.

Our arrival on the coast meant the need for nourishment and a trip to Alfs coffee and pizza, a great combo as you fill up and look out to the huge inland lake.

Another beautiful beach, and again we had lost of it to ourselves until lunchtime.

After a few hours of reading & relaxing we went to book into our camp site, which sat perched on the hill looking out to the ocean.

The trusted camper was positioned door ajar waiting to pick a plump spot with the best views!

Walking along the front of the camp site we came across a pod of pelicans, perched on a sandbank.

After an enjoyable walk around the water front it was ice cream time, Michelle went for her fav, mint chocolate chip whereas Andy indulged in a spot of coconut.

In every town we stay we come across there is some reference to the Aboriginal forefathers. The artwork is spiritual and intertwined with the wildlife and their more simpler lives.

View from the camper looking back up the coast, known as Lake view.

Driving south day.

Our return to the Princes Highway was relatively short before we decided to have a coffee stop at Central Tilba and its near neighbour Tilba Tilba. What a surprise to find an oasis of Americana and old world charm.

The two villages are only 2k apart and were named by two brothers who were separated gifted the land and fell out over what to call each, hence the similarity. Both originate as a result of gold prospecting, and more latterly dairy farming.

We decided to take a detour to Bermagui and drive through Biamanga National Park. What an amazing drive going across small inland lakes and seeing all the birds feasting in the waters either side of us.

Arriving in Bermagui we took a walk around the marina where fishing trips were coming and going.

As the sun returned, we made a short stop at Tura beach, where again we were the only ones taking in the view and happy to brave the winds coming in from the Tasman.

On arrival to Eden we did a brief tour of the small town, which established itself as a whaling centre in the late 1800’s and where they have established the aptly named Eden Killer Whale Museum.

After a trip along the Main Street which appeared to close around 1pm on Saturday, we headed to the Australasia Hotel where live music and great food was our Saturday night treat.

Eden is our last stop in NSW, with the Victoria state border only a few miles away.

Wow, the sun has come out today.

We left central Batemans Bay early and headed to two of its southern beach offerings, the first aptly named Surf beach where we sun bathed for a couple of hours.

Post lunch we jumped back in the Campervan and drove down to Narooma where we managed to snare a great campervan site right next to the ocean.

We spent the latter part of the day staring out into the ocean and watched the life guards relax too – save for the mention of a sighting of a shark…!!!

Got to be one of the best views we’ve had since picking up the camper a week or so back.

Really getting into this slower pace of life and waking up at 6am as the sun rises. As a result our evenings mirror those of the locals, with last orders at the pub at 9pm, and in bed by 10pm!

Again I have enclosed a location plan of where we stayed last night. Narooma history is tied closer with its Aboriginal forefathers with plaques and monuments celebrating the history of the place pre & post the European arrivals.

Small world day.

Andy headed out for his daily morning run only to bump into friend Caroline and her family who by a happy coincidence also staying in Jervis Bay.

After saying goodbye to them in Sydney this meant we got an extra morning with them, so we headed out together for brekkie.

Our second goodbye to Caroline, Eva, Camille and Charlie. We will see them again when we return to Manly in December.

We then started our drive south with a lunch time stop in Milton for a proper Aussie meat pie and a walk around this pleasant bohemian & art centre town.

We then dropped into Mollymook beach, a pretty location for some sun bathing and a dip in the Tasman Sea.

Our final stop of the day was the fishing port of Batemans Bay. We are staying here for a couple of nights and aim to head to a few of the famed beaches as well as sample some of the local seafood.

We are located in Surfside and have great views of some of the local street art that adorns both the bridge across the River Clyde and the main Beach Road.

Below are the views from our caravan park which sits right next to the estuary with views across the town and the bush surrounding.

Another day on the beaches.

Having visited our first six yesterday, we kept up the numbers and added a further eight to our score, leaving only 84 for our next visit!

With the weather remaining mixed we headed to the White Sands Walk, a 5 mile round trip through bushland, scrub and beautiful beaches.

The beaches around Huskisson are a mix of white sand and flat rock, creating a shelf like effect leading out to the water’s edge.

The round trip walk was finished in light rain, which doesn’t seem to want to leave us at the moment, but we’ve been promised sunshine tomorrow!

Finally to those who don’t know this part of NSW (they know who they are!), the Google map below shows the Jervis Bay area and the peninsula we’ve been staying in for the last few days.

Tomorrow we head south for 50 miles or so to Batemans Bay for a couple of days.

The Jervis Bay beaches day.

With the weather remaining mixed, we got out in the campervan and explored some of the 100 beaches within the peninsula.

Hyams beach was to be our first, but first we stopped off for brunch and had one of the best bacon & egg sandwiches on the trip to date!

Hyams beach is famed for its white sand and the squeaks it makes as you walk. It sits in an idyllic spot where bush meets beach.

From there we visited Booderee National Park and Green Patch, Murray and Cave beaches.

All are beautiful, relatively quiet and blessed with crystal clear waters.

At Cave beach we were greeted with some of the wildlife, a mob of kangaroos with their young joeys.

After a day a the many beach’s, we carried on the fun with a trip to Jervis Bay brewery to try some local beers.

Andy needed no encouragement to sample a paddle of 4 of the local brews, including a raspberry wheat beer, a punchy IPS and a super strength 6.5% XPA.

Our 2 mile walk back to the campervan definitely helped to dampen the light headiness of the beer intake.

We finished the night watching series II of Slow Horses on Apple TV bringing to an end a very enjoyable day.

Moving south day.

First port of call today was Illawarra Fly Treetop Adventures, 1500m of walkway nestled in the treetop canopy 20m above the rainforest floor.

This involved driving up 10miles of very steep roads on the second day in the camper van. A mission in itself.

After surviving the drive down the mountain we headed for the Kiama blow holes which were in full effect due to the stormy wet weather.

Next stop down the Princes Highway was Seven Mile beach. Due to the rain we were the only people in view!

After all this walking, a brief coffee stop was then required for the reasons stated in the photo below.

Given the perpetual rain, we decided to take a detour and call into a local winery called Two Figs in Berry for some wine tasting. Such a great place with fantastic vino & service!

Our final destination of the day was the beautiful Jervis Bay, where we have secured a site on caravan park right in front of Huskisson beach.

What a stunning place, blessed with over 50 beaches in a 10 mile radius.

After a busy day we are relaxing with a glass of wine and some healthy salad and a few remaining Xmas chocolates for dessert!

Moving south day.

First port of call today was Illawarra Fly Treetop Adventures, 1500m of walkway nestled in the treetop canopy 20m above the rainforest floor.

This involved driving up 10miles of very steep roads on the second day in the camper van. A mission in itself.

After surviving the drive down the mountain we headed for the Kiama blow holes which were in full effect due to the stormy wet weather.

Next stop down the Princes Highway was Seven Mile beach. Due to the rain we were the only people in view!

After all this walking, a brief coffee stop was then required for the reasons stated in the photo below.

Given the perpetual rain, we decided to take a detour and call into a local winery called Two Figs in Berry for some wine tasting. Such a great place with fantastic vino & service!

Our final destination of the day was the beautiful Jervis Bay, where we have secured a site on caravan park right in front of Huskisson beach.

What a stunning place, blessed with over 50 beaches in a 10 mile radius.

After a busy day we are relaxing with a glass of wine and some healthy salad and a few remaining Xmas chocolates for dessert!